Pune: Bombay HC Upholds Life Term for Techie Who Murdered Colleague After Breakup
Pune, 2nd October 2025: The Bombay High Court has upheld a Pune sessions court’s 2016 judgment sentencing software engineer Manu alias Mohinder Madhuresh Abrol to life imprisonment for the murder of his colleague, Khushbu Mishra (22), at a rented apartment in Balewadi on October 20, 2008.
However, the HC has quashed Abrol’s conviction on the rape charge, acquitting him of that offence. Manu was also 22 at the time of the crime. The murder stemmed from a soured romantic relationship between the two.
Both Manu and Khushbu were employed as software engineers with Capgemini in Talawade and had known each other from college in Bhopal. Four months before the murder, their relationship ended, after which Manu allegedly harassed Khushbu to reconcile, prompting her to report him to the company on two occasions.
In a 101-page judgment delivered on September 26, a bench comprising Justices G S Kulkarni and Advait M Sethna said: The chain of circumstances, supported by reliable witness statements and evidence on record, unequivocally points to the accused as the perpetrator of Khushbu Mishra’s murder. The motive arose from anger and jealousy following the breakup.”
The court added, “In our considered opinion, the learned sessions judge did not err in concluding that the accused is guilty of an offence under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code. The murder conviction is therefore confirmed.”
On the other hand, the rape charge could not be substantiated. The bench observed, “The evidence relating to the alleged rape is insufficient to conclude that a rape, as defined under the law at the time, occurred. The rape conviction is accordingly quashed and set aside.”
During the trial, Manu had denied all charges, claiming he was not present at the crime scene. However, a palm print on a wall established his presence, while a colleague testified that she had informed him Khushbu was alone at home. Post-mortem findings revealed 18 wounds, including four stab injuries, along with bite marks and scratches on both hands of the accused. Blood stains were recovered from his flat in Wakad.
The prosecution relied on 26 witnesses, primarily coworkers, who testified about the soured relationship and Khushbu’s prior complaints to company officials.
During the high court proceedings, Manu’s lawyer challenged the fingerprint evidence, claiming it violated CrPC procedures. The court rejected this argument, noting that the report had been admitted with the defence’s consent during the trial and was never contested.
Manu, who had been out on bail during the trial, was sent to Yerawada Central Prison following the sessions court’s 2016 judgment.
